Vi Rapp

Dr. Vi Rapp aims to solve problems that reduce human suffering through technology development, software development, and data analysis. As a Research Scientist in the Environmental Technologies Area at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, she leads and directs research for the Reacting Flow Applications Laboratory and the Biomass Stoves Laboratory. Currently, her research includes development of novel, low emissions burner technologies for residential appliances and distributed energy generation; advanced biomass cookstoves for the developing world; a low-cost, robust warmer for preventing neonatal hypothermia; an adaptive computational tool that predicts bioproduct and biofuel properties for validation and certification; and assessing opportunities for combined heat and power and district energy systems using conventional and alternative energy sources. Dr. Rapp received her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley with a focus on advanced internal combustion engines and alternative fuels. Prior to her PhD, she worked in aerospace conducting thermal and stress analysis on primary flight control actuators for the Boeing 787 and other commercial aircraft.